Owners filed 27 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the electrical system. It has been recalled 5 times.
What fails
Component
Reports
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Electrical System
8
0
1
0
Engine
6
0
0
0
Unknown or Other
3
0
0
1
Service Brakes
2
0
0
0
Power Train
2
0
0
0
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
1
1
0
1
Fuel/Propulsion System
1
0
0
0
Fuel System, Gasoline
1
0
0
0
Forward Collision Avoidance › Adaptive Cruise Control
1
0
0
0
Engine and Engine Cooling
1
0
0
0
5 safety recalls
Part 573 reports
Back Over Prevention › Sensing System › Camera25V900000
Filed Dec 19, 2025356,894 vehiclesVolkswagen Group Of America, Inc.
Defect. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2019-2026 vehicles. Please see the recall report for a complete list of models. A software error may prevent the rearview camera image from displaying as intended. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Risk. A rearview image that does not display reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy. Dealers will update the software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 14, 2026. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 90TV. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on December 23, 2025.
Forward Collision Avoidance › Sensing System › Camera23V212000
Filed Mar 29, 202319 vehiclesVolkswagen Group Of America, Inc.
Defect. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2020 Q7 vehicles. Incompatibility between the front camera control software and the heating element used for the front camera on the windshield may cause the heating element to overheat.
Risk. An overheated heating element can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy. Dealers will update the control software and replace the heater element for the front camera, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed May 26, 2023. Owners may contact Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 90N7.
Filed Jul 20, 202249,443 vehiclesVolkswagen Group Of America, Inc.
Defect. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Audi Q8, and 2020-2021 Audi Q7 vehicles. A component inside the fuel pump may break, causing the fuel pump to fail.
Risk. Fuel pump failure can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy. Dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 22, 2022. Owners may contact Audi's customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 20DR.
Air Bags › Air Bag/Restraint Control Module › Software21V078000
Filed Feb 17, 202126,967 vehiclesVolkswagen Group Of America, Inc.
Defect. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Audi Q7 vehicles. The air bag control module may deploy the second stage of the front passenger air bag too quickly after the first stage when the seat is occupied by an unbelted child. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Risk. During a crash necessitating the deployment of the passenger air bag, the second stage may deploy too quickly when a child is in the front passenger seat, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy. Audi will notify owners, and dealers will update the air bag control module, free of charge. The recall began March 5, 2021. Owners can contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 69BV.
Structure › Body › Roof and Pillars20V658000
Filed Oct 27, 202094,144 vehiclesVolkswagen Group Of America, Inc.
Defect. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Audi) is recalling certain 2018-2020 Audi Q7 vehicles. The padding on the vehicle's C-pillar may not absorb enough impact in the event of a crash.
Risk. In the event of a crash, an unbelted occupant's head may impact the vehicle's C-pillar padding, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy. Audi will notify owners, and dealers will replace the deformation element on the C-pillars, free of charge. The recall began November 17, 2020. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Audi's number for this recall is 70H8.
What owners reported
Newest filings
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrash1 injured
Filed Sep 14, 202673,000 milesFL
The contact owns a 2020 Audi Q7. The contact stated that while driving 15 MPH, the vehicle unexpectedly lost motive power and the brakes engaged without warning, causing the vehicle to rear-end another vehicle in front. The vehicle was towed to a local tow yard. The contact sustained injuries to the lower back, neck, and head. Medical attention was provided. The contact received continued treatment for whiplash, migraine headaches, and chiropractic treatments. A Police report was filed, but the information was unavailable. The failure mileage was approximately 73,000.
Unknown or Other
Filed Jul 23, 2026IL
Dashboard leather is bubbling, separating, and delaminating near the center windshield vents. This is a known manufacturing defect, Audi has issued a warranty extension (bulletin AWA-23-11) for this identical issue on the Q8, e-tron quattro, and R8 models, but not the Q7, despite the dashboard part number (4M8857001S33A) being identical across the Q7 and Q8. This appears to be a widespread issue affecting multiple Audi models sharing this dashboard component
Engine
Filed May 14, 2026WI
The first indication of an issue was oil consumption. It was using more oil than usual around the 70K mile mark. Then it started misfiring, and soon after a knocking noise coming from the engine. There are no check engine light on, after bringing it in for diagnostics, it read that it was a spark plug, once they got into the engine they discovered the cylinder had been stripped from the piston. Yes the diagnostics came from our foreign car mechanic. no, it has not been inspected by the manufacturer or police. Just the symptoms. sometimes the light would come on, and then it would go off. At this point it is off. All of this started in the fall of 2025.
Engine
Filed May 13, 2026PA
While my vehicle was in for the Audi piston issue, they stated my water pump needed to be replaced and isn’t covered by a recall (yet). My vehicle had less than 42,000 mile on it. I was lead to believe that this problem is coming up more often and they believe a class action lawsuit will come about. I needed to pay over $1,700 out of pocket and was told I was saving so much money because they already had the engine apart because of the piston recall. This is unacceptable.
Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Mar 13, 202670,000 milesFL
The contact owns a 2020 Audi Q7. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission unexpectedly downshifted while the accelerator pedal was depressed. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where the water pump, coolant pump, vacuum line, and vacuum reservoir were replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Feb 24, 2026AZ
My 2020 Audi Q7 with 49,500 miles had a complete engine shut down while driving. Towed to Audi. Fuel Pump was recalled and replaced on 1/2023. Audi stated it was the jet suction pump inside the saddle fuel tank. Research discovered that this saddle tank has been problem for this model and year. Audi only covered a portion of the cost. The entire fuel tank had to be replaced. 16 days to complete.
Engine
Filed Feb 24, 2026AZ
I discovered this item while researching another issue. There was a class action law suit against VW/Audi for the Water Pump and coolant leaking into the system. The class action covered the year and model for my Audi (2020 Q7) but my VIN was not included. The class action ended in 2024. On 8/4/25, My water pump went out because of coolant going into system. A $6,000 repair. I brought the issue up with Audi. No response.
Electrical SystemFire
Filed Aug 5, 2025TX
I am filing a complaint concerning serious safety risks associated with my 2020 Audi Q7 (VIN: [XXX] ) purchased as a Certified Pre-Owned vehicle from Audi Dominion San Antonio. It is currently under service at Audi Central Houston, where multiple concerning events occurred. Timeline and Issues: - Initial diagnosis identified a fire-damaged electrical harness, estimated at $1,400 for replacement. - After repair attempts, the vehicle began smoking, and the diagnosis expanded to include additional compromised electrical lines. The revised quote skyrocketed to $4,700 (later reduced to $3,100). - After nearly two months in service, I was informed that the AC compressor is now deemed "bad" due to debris from the harness, an issue not mentioned in previous inspections. Safety Concerns: 1. Inconsistent Diagnosis: There was no mention of compressor damage during initial assessments. This late-stage discovery indicates negligence or potential additional damage during servicing. 2. Risky AC Activation: A technician attempted to clean the compromised AC compressor and activated the system, a procedure that is dangerous given the debris. This could lead to refrigerant leaks and electrical shorts. 3. Conflicting Statements: Audi Central Houston claims the compressor was previously damaged but also attempted to restore it. Such contradictions raise serious concerns about service integrity. 4. Certified Pre-Owned Credibility: The emergence of these costly issues questions the reliability gua
Engine
Filed Jul 1, 2025FL
I’m having to replace my REPLACE WATER PUMP AND VACUUM LINES WITH RESERVOIR at 41k miles or it risk overheating the engine. It is a significant repair at a premature time. After researching, it has been reported there are historical issues with this and faulty parts.
Engine
Filed May 20, 2025TX
I urgently request a NHTSA investigation into systemic coolant leaks, a dangerous safety defect in Audi vehicles with the 3.0L turbocharged V6 (EA839) engine. Affected models include the Q7 (my 2020 Q7 55 TFSI, VIN: [XXX] ), S4, S5, SQ5, A6/A7, Q8. These defects risk engine damage, sudden power loss, and catastrophic engine failure, endangering all road users. Many owners report premature failures of cooling components (water pump, thermostat, PCV system). Failures often occur post-warranty, costing owners over $3,000 for repairs. Online forums (AudiWorld, Audizine, Reddit) document these widespread defects. The class action [XXX] et al. v. Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. alleges water pump defects in EA839-equipped Audis (incl. Q7 up to 2022). Critical Safety Concerns: The primary safety risk from these coolant leaks involves: Coolant Ingestion: Coolant enters vacuum lines, mixes with oil (faulty PCV), or enters intake (failing intercoolers). Engine Malfunction: Ingestion causes misfires, drivability issues, and sudden power loss during operation. Catastrophic Engine Failure: Severe coolant ingestion can cause catastrophic engine failure, risking loss of control and collisions if the engine seizes/fails at speed. Sudden engine malfunction/failure while driving due to this systemic defect warrants immediate NHTSA investigation. Audi of America is aware. My contact (Mike, Ext. 43252) confirmed Audi is not addressing this widespread failure. Audi's inaction necessitates NHTSA
Electrical System
Filed Apr 3, 2025VA
In July 2023, my 2020 Audi Q7 experienced a complete electrical failure at highway speeds due to a Belt Starter Generator (BSG) malfunction. Audi replaced the BSG with the same faulty part. Months later, I noticed increased oil consumption and loud engine noise. Despite multiple service visits and reporting these issues, Audi failed to properly diagnose the problem. In January 2025, despite a clear check engine light indicating a problem, Audi dismissed my concerns. Just weeks later, in February 2025, the engine catastrophically failed due to undiagnosed internal damage. Audi repeatedly ignored diagnostic warnings and failed to address my complaints, putting my safety at risk. Audi consistently dismissed my concerns, attributing engine noise and oil consumption to normal wear. The failures posed safety risks, including sudden loss of power while driving. Despite documented defects, Audi refused to take responsibility or perform proper diagnostics, resulting in continued safety hazards. I am formally requesting NHTSA to investigate the widespread issues affecting the 2020 Audi Q7, including the BSG system and excessive oil consumption leading to engine failure.” Additional Details: •Component/System Failure: The 48V Belt Starter Generator (BSG) and the engine failed. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. •Safety Risks: The electrical failure at highway speeds caused a sudden loss of power. The engine failure posed a risk of the vehicle shutting down unexpectedl
Unknown or Other1 injured
Filed Oct 30, 2024WA
Panoramic sunroof imploded while traveling at freeway speeds (70mph) during normal conditions (no rain, hail, snow, etc. and 60* temp) causing a large amount of glass to be blown into the cab of vehicle, striking the driver and passenger. With this loud implosion and visibility obstructed by flying glass debris it put the driver in a unsafe environment. This also put the passenger and other drivers on the road at a huge risk of an accident. Throughout the automotive industry, this has been a known issue over the past several years and even at the local Audi dealership in Bellingham, WA. After conversation with dealership there was no known contributing factors to the implosion and was suspected to be a manufacturing defect.
Power Train
Filed Sep 24, 2024CA
Central control module failure. Item is under recall for various Q5 models. Q7 is essentially the same car with same water intrusion problem. Why isn’t it included in recall. Very dangerous stall.
Unknown or Other
Filed Aug 30, 2024KS
The Audi 2020 q7 experiences an SOS Emergency contact communication failure when it goes of cell service range and in certain circumstances, it does not reset itself Or allow reconnection to the communication module after it goes back in range within cell service. This is a know issue, similar to Audi service Bulletin 90T2 in which the NHTSA issued a recall (The Q7 model is not covered under That recall, but several other models within the same year are covered). As a result of this software bug, in certain circumstances, it the communication module may not be able to contact emergency services. Audi America dealerships require payment and charge consumers $276 for drivers to update the MMI system To correct the software “bug.” Due to the fact that it is a Software issue, which requires updating by the dealership, Extended warranties do not cover fees associated.
Engine
Filed Aug 19, 2024VA
Turbo charger failure at approximately 30,000 miles
Service Brakes
Filed Jul 9, 2024NC
Often gets warning about Parking Brake malfunction. Dealership already checked once and could not find the problem. Warning comes on speedometer as follows: "Parking brake: malfunction! Please contact Service."
Electrical System
Filed Jun 3, 2024VA
While driving the vehicle, I received a warning that there was an electrical system failure. Then the entire care shut off in the middle of the highway. There was no way to get the vehicle into neutral to push it to a safer location out of traffic. I was in the vehicle with my two children. This left us stranded in the middle of the highway with a significant amount of traffic. There was no way to get the vehicle back on. This seems to be a known issue with Audi and they have notified the dealerships about it but have not issued a recall. Please expedite this as a recall. There could not have been a more dangerous situation for me and my children.
Electrical System › Alternator/Generator/Regulator
Filed Apr 22, 202470,000 milesFL
The contact owns a 2020 Audi Q7. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH, the messages "Electrical Malfunction" and "Stop Vehicle" were displayed. The contact stated that moments later the vehicle shut off and failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the residence and later examined by an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the alternator was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were contacted regarding the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 70,000.
Electrical System
Filed Jan 3, 2024CA
Our 2020 Audi Q7 (50,100 miles) suffered a catastrophic electrical failure while traveling on the freeway at 65+MPH. Suddenly the engine warning light went on, and then seconds later the entire interior lit up like a Christmas tree before it succumbed to a complete and catastrophic electrical failure. EVERYTHING failed – the car had zero power. No acceleration, brakes, steering, SOS, hazards / turn signals, brake lights, airbags, door locks, etc. My wife and child sat there in a steel box traveling at a high rate of speed while obstacles navigated around them; had they been hit, the air bags would not have deployed. This car nearly cost me my family. Audi replaced the alternator and the battery, and denied my buy-back claim because the incident hasn’t happened multiple times, and therefore doesn’t qualify for the lemon law. We continue to experience problems with the car – most recently: acceleration hesitation and recent warning lights saying 1. camera sensor failure (only to have them start working again), 2. tire pressure warnings (despite all the tire pressures being normal), and 3. warnings notifying me that lights are out (despite all lights operating normally). I believe Audi is underestimating the severity of the situation. We were fortunate that the initial failure on the freeway did not result in injuries or fatalities. I cannot fathom the idea of waiting for the vehicle to fail multiple times before taking it off the road, potentially putting lives at risk. The car
Electrical System
Filed Dec 22, 2023VA
Emergency battery light came on with a description of power malfunction. The light went from yellow to red then shortly stopped in the road while driving with complete power outage.
No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.
Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.
Most recent recall on file: Dec 19, 2025. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.